borders on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borders on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe when something verges on or is likely to become something else. For example: His irresponsible behavior borders on criminal activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It borders on kitsch.

The New York Times - Arts

Such understanding borders on telepathy.

The New York Times - Sports

This borders on self-parody.

The New York Times

Their predicament borders on famine.

The New Yorker

His colour borders on purple.

The Guardian

His confidence borders on cockiness.

The New York Times - Sports

It borders on adorable.

The Guardian - Sport

It borders on evil".

The New York Times

It borders on hoarding.

The Guardian - Travel

That borders on pathological".

The Guardian

"It borders on silliness".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "borders on" to express that something is very close to being something else, often with a negative connotation. For example, "His behavior borders on harassment."

Common error

Avoid using "borders on" when you want to express something positively. The phrase often implies a negative transition or consequence. For example, it's better to say "His enthusiasm is admirable" rather than "His enthusiasm borders on admirable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borders on" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that something closely approaches or verges on being something else. As Ludwig AI examples demonstrate, it often carries a negative connotation, indicating an undesirable state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "borders on" is a versatile verb phrase used to express that something is nearing a particular state or condition, often with negative implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "borders on" conveys proximity, it's important to consider the potentially negative connotation. Alternatives include "verges on", "approaches", or "comes close to", depending on the desired nuance. Avoiding its use in positive scenarios will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verges on

This alternative retains a similar meaning, focusing on the idea of approaching a certain state or condition.

verges upon

Synonymous with "verges on", this option adds a slightly more formal tone.

approaches

This term indicates moving closer to a specific quality or state, similar to the original phrase.

tends toward

Suggests a leaning or inclination towards something, conveying a comparable sense of nearing a condition.

comes close to

Implies a near miss or proximity to a specific state, mirroring the idea of "borders on".

nears

Highlights the act of getting closer to a particular state or condition.

almost becomes

This phrase emphasizes the potential transformation, highlighting how near something is to changing into something else.

resembles

Indicates a similarity or likeness to something else, implying it's close to being that thing.

is akin to

Suggests a likeness or similarity, implying nearness in nature or quality.

is tantamount to

Indicates that something is virtually the same as something else, approaching it in effect or value.

FAQs

How can I use "borders on" in a sentence?

Use "borders on" to indicate that something is close to being a particular thing, often with a negative or undesirable implication. For instance, "Their negligence "borders on" recklessness".

What are some alternatives to "borders on"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "verges on", "approaches", or "comes close to" as alternatives to "borders on".

Is it correct to use "borders on" in a positive context?

While grammatically correct, "borders on" is typically used to express something negative or undesirable. Using it in a positive context might sound awkward or unnatural.

What's the difference between "borders on" and "is similar to"?

"Borders on" implies a near transition to something, often negative, whereas "is similar to" simply indicates a resemblance without implying a shift or negative connotation.